Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026
11:25
Simultaneous Scalp Electroencephalography (EEG), Electromyography (EMG), and Whole-body Segmental Inertial Recording for Multi-modal Neural Decoding
Published on: July 26, 2013
Locked-in, walked out.
Seamus Kearney1, John McCann, Stanley Hawkins
1Department of Neurology, Royal Victoria Hospital Belfast, Northern Ireland.
The Ulster Medical Journal
|March 26, 2013
Summary
Patients with locked-in syndrome from pontine infarction can experience good recovery. Early intensive care and rehabilitation may enhance brain plasticity and improve outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroscience
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Locked-in syndrome (LIS) is a rare neurological condition characterized by complete paralysis and inability to communicate, often resulting in severe disability.
- Pontine infarction, a stroke affecting the pons in the brainstem, is a common cause of LIS, typically associated with poor prognosis.
Observation:
- This case report details a patient who experienced an unexpectedly significant recovery from LIS following a pontine infarction.
- The patient's recovery trajectory deviated markedly from the generally observed poor outcomes associated with this condition.
Findings:
- The patient's favorable outcome may be attributed to the resolution of edema at the infarction site.
- Neuroplasticity in the brainstem, potentially enhanced by early intensive care unit (ICU) supportive measures and prompt, aggressive rehabilitation, likely played a crucial role.
Implications:
- This case suggests that intensive supportive care and early, comprehensive rehabilitation strategies can positively influence recovery in LIS patients.
- Further research into the mechanisms of brainstem plasticity and the optimal timing/intensity of interventions is warranted to improve LIS patient outcomes.
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